We have a 90 year old Cedrus deodora in our yard. It is one of the reasons we bought our house. Over the years (especially when my office was in my home) I have watched the squirrels play, the branches sway and the raccoons climb it and make their messes at the bottom of it. Eagles and herons rest in it. Every Halloween a bat flies down from it on unsuspecting trick or treaters.
It is expensive to maintain. Every time we need it trimmed, it costs us anywhere from $1200 to $2000 and it is not a do it yourself job. But I love it.
I did not realize how much until my neighbor told us he wanted it down. I felt like I had been punched in the gut. It took me at least 24 hours to recover because it was so unexpected. I have taken a lot in the last year but I was expecting it; my daughter went off to college, our dog died, my mother in law died but the thought of losing the tree affected me the most because it was a surprise and I discovered I am surprisingly connected to the tree.
My neighbor has valid points and I can understand his concern but it will still leave a big hole in my life. To honor the tree, we hope to connect our arborist with a wood artist in a business group that I belong to. You can see their work here. I also will take 1/2 yard or so of the wood chips to use as a mulch in my gardens. (Whole tree wood chips – as opposed to bark – are the best mulch in your yard).
We are still in the process of getting a permit to do the work. It turns out the City of Seattle has a rule that states trees over 6″ in diameter require an arborist to certify them as hazardous and then you must get a permit to take it down. The reasons are valid. Trees reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air, they hold hillsides in place, absorb excess rainfall, reduce temperatures in urban areas, are home to wildlife, and in my opinion bring tranquility! I guess I could be called a treehugger.
The City requires us to replant. I haven’t gotten that far to see what diameter/variety is required but it will hopefully be a joy for someone else many years down the road.
